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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Diehammer on 27 June 2015, 00:59

Title: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Diehammer on 27 June 2015, 00:59
this is really doing my head in, everytime it rains all the front windows steam up. I have tried all the settings and different fan speeds but the only way I can clear them is to put the aircon on.

Anyone any ideas what settings I should be using? I usually have the fan speed at 2 and using the front vents, temperature varies depending how warm or cold it is outside.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Buck on 27 June 2015, 01:04
You do need to have the aircon on.

I'd say that you should be having the climate control on all of the time - that's how its designed to operate. (Unless you are tootling around with the window open - I turn mine off then)
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: mcmaddy on 27 June 2015, 07:50
You bought a car with climate control and don't use it and expect the windows to stay clear in damp humid conditions? Use the climate control as it's intended ie on and see what happens.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Hawaii-Five-O on 27 June 2015, 08:08
As others have said you need to dehumidify the air to take the moisture off your windscreen. It's also a good idea to use your climate control year round or else they lose their effectiveness.

You should also check you don't have your air intake set to recirculating. This leads to terrible misting up!
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: p3asa on 27 June 2015, 09:44
I've always maintained the opposite is true for me. I never use my aircon for the very fact as soon as I get in my car the next time the windows steam up regardless of the conditions.
I just thing its a vicious circle. I now don't have any steaming up at all just using the blower alone.
I admit I don't fully understand how the aircon works but my method works for me.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: am1w on 27 June 2015, 09:46
It's also a good idea to use your climate control year round or else they lose their effectiveness.


^ This.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Exonian on 27 June 2015, 12:58
As above, just keep the air-con on auto or you'll run into problems with the system a few years down the line.
I have a workmate who has an R32 and he virtually never turns the air-con on thinking is saves him fuel. I think the couple of litres he will save over the year will pale into insignificance once he has to have his system re gassed because the seals have all dried out.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: am1w on 27 June 2015, 13:28
As above, just keep the air-con on auto or you'll run into problems with the system a few years down the line.
I have a workmate who has an R32 and he virtually never turns the air-con on thinking is saves him fuel. I think the couple of litres he will save over the year will pale into insignificance once he has to have his system re gassed because the seals have all dried out.

^ This. In total agreement.
To put it very bluntly, it is also a very stupid fuel saving measure.
Penny wise, pound foolish.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: monkeyhanger on 27 June 2015, 13:36
As above, just keep the air-con on auto or you'll run into problems with the system a few years down the line.
I have a workmate who has an R32 and he virtually never turns the air-con on thinking is saves him fuel. I think the couple of litres he will save over the year will pale into insignificance once he has to have his system re gassed because the seals have all dried out.

^ This. In total agreement.
To put it very bluntly, it is also a very stupid fuel saving measure.
Penny wise, pound foolish.

Depends on the trip - if you're doing 70 on a dual carriageway, there's a lot of air rushing past the aircon radiator to exchange heat, and the system will be doing its job easily for very little fuel cost. Crawling along in gridlocked traffic and the system has to work very hard - you'd be better off with the windows open. Get above 30mph and the wind noise gets a bit intrusive.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: am1w on 27 June 2015, 14:08
As above, just keep the air-con on auto or you'll run into problems with the system a few years down the line.
I have a workmate who has an R32 and he virtually never turns the air-con on thinking is saves him fuel. I think the couple of litres he will save over the year will pale into insignificance once he has to have his system re gassed because the seals have all dried out.

^ This. In total agreement.
To put it very bluntly, it is also a very stupid fuel saving measure.
Penny wise, pound foolish.

Depends on the trip - if you're doing 70 on a dual carriageway, there's a lot of air rushing past the aircon radiator to exchange heat, and the system will be doing its job easily for very little fuel cost. Crawling along in gridlocked traffic and the system has to work very hard - you'd be better off with the windows open. Get above 30mph and the wind noise gets a bit intrusive.

And breath in the fumes? No thanks. Rather have all the windows closed, the Climate Control on and listen to music without the intrusive noise of other cars.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Booth11 on 27 June 2015, 14:10
Depends on the trip - if you're doing 70 on a dual carriageway, there's a lot of air rushing past the aircon radiator to exchange heat, and the system will be doing its job easily for very little fuel cost. Crawling along in gridlocked traffic and the system has to work very hard - you'd be better off with the windows open. Get above 30mph and the wind noise gets a bit intrusive.

Flippin' eck!  If you're penny pinching that much should you be driving a £30k+ car  :tongue:  :grin:

Climate control is the way forward  :wink:
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: am1w on 27 June 2015, 14:17
Depends on the trip - if you're doing 70 on a dual carriageway, there's a lot of air rushing past the aircon radiator to exchange heat, and the system will be doing its job easily for very little fuel cost. Crawling along in gridlocked traffic and the system has to work very hard - you'd be better off with the windows open. Get above 30mph and the wind noise gets a bit intrusive.

Flippin' eck!  If you're penny pinching that much should you be driving a £30k+ car  :tongue:  :grin:

Climate control is the way forward  :wink:

Absolutely. Q.E.D.  :smiley:

I think MH might be missing Diesel fuel economy.  :wink:  :tongue:
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Booth11 on 27 June 2015, 14:22
I think MH might be missing Diesel fuel economy.  :wink:  :tongue:

Me too  :wink:
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Exonian on 27 June 2015, 14:32
Talking of fuel economy the R is CRAP!

As above, just keep the air-con on auto or you'll run into problems with the system a few years down the line.
I have a workmate who has an R32 and he virtually never turns the air-con on thinking is saves him fuel. I think the couple of litres he will save over the year will pale into insignificance once he has to have his system re gassed because the seals have all dried out.

^ This. In total agreement.
To put it very bluntly, it is also a very stupid fuel saving measure.
Penny wise, pound foolish.

Depends on the trip - if you're doing 70 on a dual carriageway, there's a lot of air rushing past the aircon radiator to exchange heat, and the system will be doing its job easily for very little fuel cost. Crawling along in gridlocked traffic and the system has to work very hard - you'd be better off with the windows open. Get above 30mph and the wind noise gets a bit intrusive.
I'd say crawling along in gridlocked traffic was the best time to have the air con on especially this time of year when it's baking hot through the glass. Fumes, nasty lorry engine noise... YUK!
Switch the climate to auto and just leave it there forever. Plus I hate winding the windows down as it leaves stripes on the glass that do my head in.
If you have a sunroof it's a bit of a different matter.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Booth11 on 27 June 2015, 14:36
I'd say crawling along in gridlocked traffic was the best time to have the air con on especially this time of year when it's baking hot through the glass. Fumes, nasty lorry engine noise... YUK!
Switch the climate to auto and just leave it there forever. Plus I hate winding the windows down as it leaves stripes on the glass that do my head in.
If you have a sunroof it's a bit of a different matter.

Totally agree.  I honestly don't think my windows have been down more than half dozen times in nearly 3 years.  As for the stripes on the glass.....don't get me started  :shocked:  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: am1w on 27 June 2015, 14:43
I'd say crawling along in gridlocked traffic was the best time to have the air con on especially this time of year when it's baking hot through the glass. Fumes, nasty lorry engine noise... YUK!
Switch the climate to auto and just leave it there forever. Plus I hate winding the windows down as it leaves stripes on the glass that do my head in.
If you have a sunroof it's a bit of a different matter.

Totally agree.  I honestly don't think my windows have been down more than half dozen times in nearly 3 years.  As for the stripes on the glass.....don't get me started  :shocked:  :rolleyes:

Same here. Except when I am having a quick puff on a fag (cigarette)!  :evil: :laugh: :tongue:
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: scotland67 on 27 June 2015, 14:45
I agree, leave the climate control on all the time,ideally set at 21 or 22 centigrade. if the car steams up, there is a boost button which will quickly clear the glass
My wife has one or two friends,older ladies on their own, who needed advice on using their aircon/climate as they didn't have a clue. One had nothing switched on, everthing on zero,no air coming in to the car at all, so it was really stuffy inside!
Another said, " oh I never use it"
As for checking tyre pressures, oil levels etc, don't get me started on that!
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Booth11 on 27 June 2015, 15:04

Same here. Except when I am having a quick puff on a fag (cigarette)!  :evil: :laugh: :tongue:

Smoking in cars...YUK.  You've just plummeted in my estimation Asker  :tongue:  :kiss:

Once upon a time I may have indulged myself  :whistle:  I do not miss the foul breath and furry tongue!
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: KyleB on 27 June 2015, 15:53
I have to say I don't have steaming up issues and I only use my aircon in the summer. The fans are on but aircon isn't all the time.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: monkeyhanger on 27 June 2015, 17:04

Same here. Except when I am having a quick puff on a fag (cigarette)!  :evil: :laugh: :tongue:

Smoking in cars...YUK.  You've just plummeted in my estimation Asker  :tongue:  :kiss:

Once upon a time I may have indulged myself  :whistle:  I do not miss the foul breath and furry tongue!

What does the lease company have to say about smoking in their car? Would never buy a smokers car if I was looking second hand.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: itavaltalainen on 27 June 2015, 17:13
If the windscreen steams up really bably you may also have a leak on the seal around it somewhere.
So if you're using AC to dry incoming air and it still is no good then that would be a place to start looking.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: am1w on 27 June 2015, 18:54
Same here. Except when I am having a quick puff on a fag (cigarette)!  :evil: :laugh: :tongue:
Smoking in cars...YUK.  You've just plummeted in my estimation Asker  :tongue:  :kiss:
Once upon a time I may have indulged myself  :whistle:  I do not miss the foul breath and furry tongue!
What does the lease company have to say about smoking in their car? Would never buy a smokers car if I was looking second hand.

I am a rather clean smoker, if there is such a thing. Have an ashtray in the car which I don't use and flick the ash out of the window. I only smoke at low speeds as otherwise the ash gets blown onto the back seats. When I stop smoking my fag which is half way along its length (4 light puffs max), I have a metal box in which I stub it. I never throw my fags onto the street.

VWFS don't give a flying f--k if I smoke in the car or not! I did order the Smoking Pack. It is a car, not a flipping hospital. Once the car is over 2.5 years old, I will abuse it within reason as by then I would have ordered a new car!
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Exonian on 27 June 2015, 19:47
Asker, if you've still got the R after 2.5 years I'll turn into a fag myself.
 :whistle:
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Booth11 on 27 June 2015, 20:42
I never throw my fags onto the street.

Good.  You've almost redeemed yourself.  I can't abide people who chuck their fag butts out of car windows  :angry:

I've turned into one of those terrible self righteous ex smokers  :embarrassed:  :evil:  :kiss:

Asker, if you've still got the R after 2.5 years I'll turn into a fag myself.
 :whistle:

Shall we run a book on it? :whistle:  :laugh:
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: am1w on 27 June 2015, 23:20
Asker, if you've still got the R after 2.5 years I'll turn into a fag myself.
 :whistle:

I will see the 3 year lease through which will end on the 13th March 2018. So do start turning into a full fag(got).  :laugh:
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Diehammer on 28 June 2015, 10:18
Climate control is always on but don't see why I need to have the aircon on, never had this issue in my 3 series and it had climate control as well.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Snooze on 28 June 2015, 10:24
Air con off, heaters on full wack. Having the air con on just draws moist air in to the car compounding the problem.

On several occasions I've got in to my car on a cold damp morning with air con on and what was a nice clear windscreen then mists up instantly.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Exonian on 28 June 2015, 10:32
I think some of you kind of miss the point of the Climate control and Air-Con and would have been better off having been born 30 years earlier.
I grew up with cars that had no air-con and therefore appreciate the benefits of it more maybe?

VW are obviously missing a trick here. Maybe the ClubSport needs to be a proper ClubSport with massively loud exhaust, no air-con (to save weight and fuel obviously), and rock hard lowered suspension just for those that missed the hot hatch scene in the 70's and 80's. Then obviously the massively loud stereo to overcome the noisy exhaust in order to play poor quality illegally downloaded music in MaccyD's late at night.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Mark V GTD on 28 June 2015, 11:17
Climate control is always on but don't see why I need to have the aircon on
Because without the a/c button on the climate system cannot reduce the temperature of the incoming air - so when the external temperature is above the internal set temp it will not function very efficiently....
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: p3asa on 28 June 2015, 13:30
I'm with snooze on this. I just feel it causes more problems than it cures. The odd time i have used it it seems to have taken 2 or 3 runs to get rid of the dry air.

Its definitely changed days in the A/C world as I remember with one of my first few cars that when I put the aircon on, I could actually feel a drop in the cars accelerating. Not to mention the fuel guage dropping like a ton of bricks.
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Exonian on 28 June 2015, 13:41
I'm with snooze on this. I just feel it causes more problems than it cures. The odd time i have used it it seems to have taken 2 or 3 runs to get rid of the dry air.

Its definitely changed days in the A/C world as I remember with one of my first few cars that when I put the aircon on, I could actually feel a drop in the cars accelerating. Not to mention the fuel guage dropping like a ton of bricks.

On a small capacity normally aspirated car you can't half tell the air con is on, the thing loses about 50bhp when the compressor kicks in!  :laugh:

My first car with air-con was an Ibiza TDI. The climate control on that was a bit primitive to say the least, it was obviously designed for Mediterranean heat rather than English "can't make up its mind" weather. I remember getting in that car when it was about minus four outside and flicking the 'ignition' on to be greeted with a hurricane of freezing air in my face! That woke me up!
Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: monkeyhanger on 28 June 2015, 18:04
Air con off, heaters on full wack. Having the air con on just draws moist air in to the car compounding the problem.

On several occasions I've got in to my car on a cold damp morning with air con on and what was a nice clear windscreen then mists up instantly.

Aircon always helps in demisting my windscreen in the winter. The aircon dehumidifies the air coming into the cabin so that it doesn't have any moisture to condense when the air hits the cold windscreen. Humidity hitting cold surfaces is what causes condensation.

In the winter you have two options to avoid condensation - warm up the windscreen enough so the moisture in the drawn in ambient air isn't condensed on it, or dry the air hitting the windscreen with the aircon - albeit the aircon won't be massively effective drying the air while sat idling after you have just started the car - it will draw in wet ambient air for a very short while.

Title: Re: Windows steaming up every time it rains
Post by: Mark V GTD on 28 June 2015, 19:36
The main source of nice warm moist (ready to condense) air in to a car on a winter morning is the driver entering the vehicle! Small wonder the ice cold glass surface a few feet from his/her face mists up.....